DHS to support TSA screening officer workforce

June 7, 2021

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas to support the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening officer workforce, including expanding collective bargaining at the national level and ensuring that TSA’s standards and processes adhere to the principles applied by the Merit Systems Protection Board.  Secretary Mayorkas also expressed the Department’s commitment to improving pay for the TSA workforce.   

“TSA employees are outstanding public servants who work on the frontlines, including throughout the pandemic, to keep the traveling American public safe,” said Secretary Mayorkas.  “They deserve the empowerment of collective bargaining and a compensation structure that recognizes and rewards them for their contributions to our safety and security.”

Secretary Mayorkas ordered these administrative actions to build upon the meaningful improvements made by TSA leadership to support the Transportation Security Officer (TSO) workforce.  TSA will expand the collective bargaining rights of TSOs consistent with the policy expressed in President Biden’s Executive Order 14025, Worker Organizing and Empowerment.  The expanded scope of bargaining will be similar to bargaining that occurs at other federal agencies while preserving TSA’s ability to meet its critical security mission.  After implementing these changes, TSA will work with the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents TSA’s non-supervisory TSO workforce, to reach a new collective bargaining agreement.   

The announcement also recognized that appropriately compensating TSA employees, including TSOs and Coordination Center Officers, is required to improve the morale and retention of these essential employees.  Secretary Mayorkas directed TSA to prepare a plan that is consistent with providing fair compensation.  

The announcement is an important first step to more closely align the TSA screening personnel system to that of other Federal agencies.  TSA will also continue to evaluate personnel policies, including appeal procedures, for potential changes to better support the workforce. 

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